Ask the Author: Jeff Stanger
Answered Questions (11)
Jeff Stanger
"What makes you think you can terrorize an entire college campus?"
"I have the ability to shut down all wifi and cell service within a 30-mile radius?"
"I have the ability to shut down all wifi and cell service within a 30-mile radius?"
Jeff Stanger
Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles during the time he wrote the Phillip Marlowe novels. I don't think I would be a detective, though. I would love to be around the pulp detective writers who emerged at that time —Chandler, Hammett, Cain, etc. So many of today's mystery writers were influenced (directly or indirectly) by the work that was being done at that time and place in history.
Jeff Stanger
I like to mix up current and older books I haven't read. So, I'm reading Deborah Coonts (Lucky Double box set) now. Next up is A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. (Side note- I purchased this at City Lights in San Francisco! I love visiting independent book stores when I get to travel. City or small town, it doesn't matter.)
Earlier this summer I read Joe Nesbo's latest (The Knife), Sarah Millican's How to be Champion, and Fletch's Moxie. I think Black Nowhere by Reece Hirsch will be next after Toole's classic.
Earlier this summer I read Joe Nesbo's latest (The Knife), Sarah Millican's How to be Champion, and Fletch's Moxie. I think Black Nowhere by Reece Hirsch will be next after Toole's classic.
Jeff Stanger
Good question! This may seem obscure, but I loved the back and forth between Fletch & Barbara in Fletch Too by Gregory McDonald (Recommended if you like funny mysteries.) Fletch in the book series is funny but less cartoonish than he's portrayed in the 2 movies starring Chevy Chase. In this one, Barbara's dialogue is just as sharp and she holds her own with him.
I'm reading The Thin Man (Dashiell Hammett) right now and I have to say, I'm enjoying Nick & Nora Charles.
I'm reading The Thin Man (Dashiell Hammett) right now and I have to say, I'm enjoying Nick & Nora Charles.
Jeff Stanger
George, sorry I missed this message. I've been so busy with the Baseball Book Festival. I would enjoy reading it. Thanks!
Jeff Stanger
Since I'm mostly writing fiction, I would say that writing is taking the daydreams and "what if's" in life and turning them into words on a page.
Jeff Stanger
Sometimes it's music, sometimes it's just something that makes me laugh. Story ideas are around us all the time, we just have to look. I listen a lot when waiting at the airport. There is always a story prompt at the airport!
Jeff Stanger
Keep writing! Also, check out So You Want to Write by Brenda Euland. It's timeless and inspirational. You will refer to it again and again.
Jeff Stanger
I was speaking at an event in Phoenix and there were several retired baseball players eating breakfast at the hotel where I stayed. As I listened to them tell stories, the ideas for a new book started to flow.
Jeff Stanger
iTunes! You would be surprised how putting your music player on shuffle will help make the creative ideas appear. Another way is just listening and paying attention in public. There are stories all around you.
Jeff Stanger
I'm working on a mystery set at Spring Training. It will be the first installment in the Quick Baseball Mysteries series.
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